Symbols

In your own words, define what a symbol is and how it functions. Think of one or more symbols and describe them, then describe what they symbolize. Why do you think those things have acquired a culturally agreed upon meaning? How does something like this happen? Can symbols be created at will, or do they occur “naturally”? Can you give an example of one or the other (or both)?

• A symbol is something that is used to represent an object or an idea. Some example's of symbols include language, the heart shape, and the smiley face. Language includes both oral, with sounds and pronunciation, and written, with characters. The heart shape represents the idea of love, which the smiley face represents the feeling of happiness. 
• These symbols have acquired a culturally agreed upon meaning because language is something people agreed on in order to communicate with each other, and they agree with the idea that heart shapes represent our heart, and we love people from "the bottom of our hearts", so we use heart shapes to represent love. This occurs as people from the whole world slowly agree to the ideas. Language is slowly created to help with communication, with each character as an idea or sound. For smiley faces, this is human instinct. No matter where you come from, even if you have not have contact with modern society, when you feel happy, your face automatically have the :).
• Symbols can be created at will or naturally. A "natural" example is the smiley face. People create symbols at will between friends and family. For example, if they want to make a special symbol that only the two people know. They may use a word to represent an event, etc.